First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
breath
noun \ˈbreth\
: the air that you take into your lungs and send out from your lungs when you breathe : air that is inhaled and exhaled in breathing
: the ability to breathe freely
: an amount of air that you take into your lungs
Full Definition of BREATH
1
a : air filled with a fragrance or odor b : a slight indication : suggestion <the faintest breath of scandal>
2
3
: a slight breeze
4
a : air inhaled and exhaled in breathing <bad breath> b : something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing c : inhalation
5
: a spoken sound : utterance
6
— breath of fresh air
: a welcome or refreshing change
— in one breath or in the same breath
: almost simultaneously
— out of breath
: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)
— under one's breath
: so as to be barely audible <mumbled something under his breath>
See breath defined for English-language learners
See breath defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of BREATH
- When Oscar Wilde allegedly gestured at the garish wallpaper in his cheap Parisian hotel room and announced with his dying —breath, “Either it goes or I go,” he was exhibiting something beyond an irrepressibly brilliant wit. —Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004
- I ski as far as I can and stop (in these relatively low-altitude coastal mountains, you don't stop for breath the way you sometimes do in Colorado; here you stop when your legs demand a break) … —Lito Tejada-Flores, Skiing, February 1999
- [+]more
Origin of BREATH
Middle English breth, from Old English brǣth; akin to Old High German brādam breath, and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm
BREATH Defined for Kids
breath
noun \ˈbreth\
Definition of BREATH for Kids
1
: ability to breathe : ease of breathing <I lost my breath for a moment.>
2
: air taken in or sent out by the lungs <Hold your breath.> <It's so cold I can see my breath.>
3
: a slight breeze <a breath of wind>
— out of breath
: breathing very rapidly as a result of hard exercise
— under someone's breath
: very quietly <“Don't blow this for me,” Dad said under his breath. — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>
Medical Dictionary
breath
noun \ˈbreth\
Medical Definition of BREATH
1
a : the faculty of breathing <recovering her breath after the race> b : an act or an instance of breathing or inhaling
2
a : air inhaled and exhaled in breathing <bad breath> b : something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing
—out of breath
: breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)
Learn More About BREATH
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: breathablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: breastwork logAll Words Near: breath
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up breath? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).